irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 10:40McLaughlin facing the exit at UlsterRugby: Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin will not be offered a new deal when his contract expires at the end of the season. Despite guiding the province to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup for a second successive season, McLaughlin faces the prospect of being replaced at Ravenhill.

John Kirwan and Matt Sexton have already been linked with the job, with Ulster simply stating that the McLaughlin’s contract, and those of his backroom team, are under review.

“In response to media speculation today regarding the Ulster coaching position, Ulster confirms that the current coaching contracts are set to finish at the end of the season, and are under review,” the province said in a statement this morning. “There will be no further comment at this time.”

McLaughlin took charge of Ulster following the departure of Matt Williams in 2009 and has overseen a revival in fortunes with the province that saw the side reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup last year for the first time since winning the tournament in 1999.

The 52-year-old repeated the trick this season, the highlight of a memorable campaign a 41-7 thrashing of Leicester in Belfast that helped Ulster make it through as a best runner-up. Ulster, who are currently sixth in the Pro12 standings, will face Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals when the competition resumes in April.

the rumours doing the rounds are that it is a mutual separation as far as McLaughlin goes. i was under the impression he had quit his teaching job but i am hearing he only extended his sabbatical. He might still be involved in the academy in some capacity is a rumour.

Seems like the rumours about it being a Kiwi lined up arent far shy of the mark. One of the Ulster fanzines also said they expect Tommy Bowe to be announced today.

Seems like both sides are confident. I personally know nothing about where he will be going. Would be very disappointed if he chose any other province over Ulster. The only thing that seems certain is that we will know in the next day or two.

Seems like both sides are confident. I personally know nothing about where he will be going. Would be very disappointed if he chose any other province over Ulster. The only thing that seems certain is that we will know in the next day or two.

Professional rugby game... he can go where he wants.... you feeling guilty about Cronin and Ross..??

Seems like both sides are confident. I personally know nothing about where he will be going. Would be very disappointed if he chose any other province over Ulster. The only thing that seems certain is that we will know in the next day or two.

Professional rugby game... he can go where he wants.... you feeling guilty about Cronin and Ross..??

Why would i feel guilty about either of them? neither of them are ulstermen. The only cousin fondler we have up here is jerry Cronin and you can have him back whenever.

Seems like both sides are confident. I personally know nothing about where he will be going. Would be very disappointed if he chose any other province over Ulster. The only thing that seems certain is that we will know in the next day or two.

Professional rugby game... he can go where he wants.... you feeling guilty about Cronin and Ross..??

No, he's been told he can't go to Leinster and nust choose between Ulster and Munster.

exactly... Leinster ruled out, even though some were saying he was a "perfect" replacement for Mongo...Ulster Munster, it's up to him, saying that, I am sure there is plenty of "close to the Mediterranean clubs" enquiriing about him too....

exactly... Leinster ruled out, even though some were saying he was a "perfect" replacement for Mongo...Ulster Munster, it's up to him, saying that, I am sure there is plenty of "close to the Mediterranean clubs" enquiriing about him too....

exactly... Leinster ruled out, even though some were saying he was a "perfect" replacement for Mongo...Ulster Munster, it's up to him, saying that, I am sure there is plenty of "close to the Mediterranean clubs" enquiriing about him too....

The McLaughlin thing is all a bit strange - if he was not extending his sabbatical, surely he would come out and say that rather than allow the rumour mill to peddle the sort of nonsense I was reading from Mulligan inthe Newsletter this morning

Director of rugby David Humphreys and chief executive Shane Logan are believed to want a fresh voice to bring the side on and are said to have already earmarked a new coaching team.

Early speculation is revolving around two New Zealanders, former Italy and Japan coach John Kirwan and ex-Ulster hooker Matt Sexton.

McLaughlin came in as coach on a two-year deal following the sudden departure of Matt Williams at the start of the 2009/10 season. After years of Ulster under-achievement, the former Ireland skills coach oversaw a steady improvement but was only awarded a one-year contract extension for this season, which expires at the end of May.

McLaughlin was already on his second sabbatical from his teaching job at RBAI and was forced to resign his post when he agreed the one-year deal, having previously stepped down as head of physical education when he initially took on the job.

I dont think McLaughlin would be lost to the Ulster setup unless it was his own call. Ulster may not offer him the head coach position but they would surely keep him in and around the setup if he was willing/not too pissed off.

That article does state what i thought was the case that he had previously resigned his 'day job' as a teacher to extend for one year. Whatever the reasons Ulster would do well to announce whatever it is soon as this has to be unsettling.

Strange enough about McLoughlin but there is obviously more to the story than meets the eye. Thought Bowe to Munster was almost a done deal as well but obviously not. Interesting times ahead.

On the Bowe thing people got about over excited because Frankie on Against The Head seemed to assume that Bowe was going to go to Munster over Ulster. We don't know for certain if this the case or not though. I reckon it could be a case of Frankie just guessing